Spelt Pie Crust Recipe

If you’re looking for a homemade spelt pie crust recipe, you’ve come to the right place. This easy spelt pie crust is not only delicious and flaky but also healthy and versatile. Made with whole grain spelt flour, it offers a nutritious alternative to traditional pie crusts while still providing a satisfying taste.

Unlike many pie crust recipes that require chilling time, this spelt crust can be made and rolled out immediately. It’s a quick and convenient option for those who love the taste of homemade pie but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. The addition of cream cheese and turbinado sugar enhances the flavor and adds a touch of sweetness to the crust. Whether you’re making a fruit pie or a savory dish, this spelt pie crust is sure to impress.

Key Takeaways:

• Spelt pie crust is a healthy and flavorful alternative to traditional pie crusts.
• It is made with whole grain spelt flour, which adds a hearty texture and delicious taste.
• This homemade spelt pie crust recipe is easy to make and doesn’t require chilling time.
• The addition of cream cheese and turbinado sugar enhances the flavor of the crust.
• Spelt pie crust is versatile and can be used for both sweet and savory pies.

The Ingredients

Creating a delicious and flaky spelt pie crust starts with gathering the right ingredients. Here are the main components you’ll need for this recipe:

Each ingredient serves a specific role in creating the perfect spelt pie crust. The use of 100% spelt flour gives the crust a distinct flavor and a hearty texture. Cream cheese adds a tanginess to the crust, while turbinado sugar enhances its sweetness. The salt and baking powder work together to balance the flavors and give the crust a slight lift. Finally, ice-cold water is added gradually to bring the dough together, making it easy to roll out.

Making the Dough

The dough for this spelt pie crust is made in a food processor, which makes the process quick and easy. Using a food processor saves time and ensures that the ingredients are evenly combined.

The following steps outline how to make the dough:

1. Combine the dry ingredients: In the food processor, pulse together the spelt flour, turbinado sugar, salt, and baking powder until they are well combined. This ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the crust.
2. Add the cream cheese and butter: Next, add the cream cheese and cubed butter to the food processor. Pulse the mixture until it resembles small peas. This step creates a flaky and tender crust.
3. Gradually add water: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in water until the dough comes together. Be cautious not to add too much water, as it can make the dough sticky and difficult to work with.
4. Check the dough consistency: Stop pulsing the mixture as soon as the dough starts to clump together. Take care not to overmix, as it can result in a tougher crust.
5. Shape the dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a round disc. This makes it easier to roll out later. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a small amount of flour on top and gently knead it until it becomes manageable.

Now that the dough is ready, it can be rolled out immediately without the need for a resting period.

“Using a food processor to make the dough simplifies the process and ensures that the ingredients are evenly incorporated. It saves time and effort while still yielding a delicious crust.”

Spelt Pie Crust Ingredients

This table provides a quick overview of the ingredients needed to make the spelt pie crust. Remember to have all the ingredients measured and ready before starting the dough-making process.

Working with Spelt Dough

Spelt dough, unlike traditional pie dough, has a unique fragility and a consistency similar to soft play dough. When rolling out the dough, it’s important to handle it gently to prevent it from breaking apart. Despite its delicate nature, spelt dough is surprisingly easy to work with and doesn’t resist when rolling.

To achieve a perfectly baked spelt crust, blind baking is recommended. Start by rolling out the dough into an 11″ circle, ensuring it’s large enough to line a 9″ pie plate. To prevent the crust from puffing up during baking, prick it all over with a fork, allowing steam to escape.

To keep the dough from slipping down into the tin while baking, it can be weighed down with pie weights or dry rice/beans/lentils. This helps maintain the shape and structure of the crust as it bakes. Alternatively, you can use parchment paper and fill it with baking beans to weigh down the dough.

Place the prepared crust in the pie plate and carefully press it into the edges, making sure it’s snug against the sides. The crust is then baked according to the recipe’s specific instructions until it’s fully baked and ready to be filled.

Blind baking the spelt crust ensures that it remains flaky and perfectly cooked, even when filled with wet or juicy fillings. By following these steps, your spelt crust will turn out beautifully every time, providing the perfect base for your pie creations.

Tips for Success

To ensure a successful and delicious spelt pie crust, there are a few tips to keep in mind. These tips will help you achieve consistent results and make the most of this unique and flavorful crust.

Weighing Flour for Accuracy

When measuring flour for your spelt pie crust, it is recommended to weigh the flour instead of using cup measurements. Weighing flour ensures a proper measurement and accuracy, leading to consistent results. This is especially important when working with spelt flour, as its texture and density can vary.

No Resting Period Required

Unlike traditional pie crusts, spelt dough does not require a resting period before rolling it out. The weaker and fewer gluten proteins in spelt flour mean that the dough can be used immediately. This saves you time and allows you to roll out the crust right away.

Gentle Handling for Fragile Dough

Spelt dough is more fragile compared to traditional pie dough due to its weaker gluten proteins. To avoid any breakage or tearing, it’s important to handle the dough gently when working with it. Take care when rolling it out and transferring it to the pie pan, ensuring that it stays intact.

By following these tips, you can create a successful and delicious spelt pie crust that will impress your family and friends. Now, let’s move on to discover some decorative options for your pie crust.

Yield and Decorative Options

The recipe for this spelt pie crust yields slightly more dough than needed for a typical 9″ pie. This allows for the option to create decorative cut-outs with the extra dough if desired. These cut-outs can be used to enhance the presentation of the pie, as shown in the example of an Apple Butter Pie. However, using all of the pie dough to line the pie pan is also a perfectly fine option. Whether you choose to use decorative cut-outs or not, this spelt pie crust recipe will result in a delicious and visually appealing pie.

Decorative Cut-Outs for an Eye-Catching Pie

1. Roll out the extra dough to an even thickness.
2. Use cookie cutters or a sharp knife to create decorative shapes.
3. Place the cut-outs on top of the filled pie or around the edge of the crust.
4. Brush the cut-outs with an egg wash for a golden, shiny finish.

By adding decorative cut-outs to your spelt pie crust, you can transform a simple pie into an impressive centerpiece for any occasion. The shapes can be tailored to match the theme of the pie or simply to add a touch of elegance. Let your creativity shine and take your homemade pie to the next level!

Perfect Fillings for Spelt Pie Crust

The versatility of spelt pie crust makes it suitable for a variety of fillings. It pairs well with both sweet and savory options. For fruit pies, such as apple or cherry, the hearty flavor and texture of the spelt crust complement the natural sweetness of the filling. Cream pies, such as chocolate or coconut, are also a perfect match for the sturdy and flavorful spelt crust. Savory pies, such as quiches or pot pies, benefit from the crumbly yet sturdy nature of the spelt crust. No matter what filling you choose, this spelt pie crust will elevate your homemade pies to a new level of deliciousness.

User Experiences and Feedback

Users who have tried this spelt pie crust recipe have left positive comments and star ratings, indicating their satisfaction with the results. Many have shared their experience of successfully converting conventional recipes to vegan using this crust. The ease of working with the dough and its flavorful outcome have been praised by users. Some have also shared photos of their pies on social media platforms, showcasing the beautiful and delicious results they achieved with this spelt pie crust. The feedback from users reflects the success and popularity of this recipe.

Affiliate Links and Funding

This article contains affiliate links, as the author of the recipe is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. By clicking on these affiliate links and making qualifying purchases, the author earns a commission at no extra cost to the buyer. These affiliate links are a way for the author to support their website and continue providing valuable content to readers. The inclusion of affiliate links does not affect the accuracy or quality of the information provided in this article.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the spelt pie crust is a healthier alternative to traditional pie crusts. This crust is made with 100% spelt flour, offering a unique and hearty flavor that complements a wide range of pie fillings. The addition of cream cheese and turbinado sugar enhances the taste and adds a touch of sweetness to the crust, making it even more flavorful.

Despite the fragility of spelt dough, it is surprisingly easy to work with and does not require a resting period, allowing for quicker and more convenient pie preparation. Users have praised the simplicity of the recipe and the delicious results they achieved with this spelt pie crust. Whether you’re making a sweet fruit pie or a savory quiche, this versatile crust is sure to impress.

The spelt pie crust not only provides a healthier alternative but also offers a delicious and flavorful base for a wide range of pies. With its unique taste and easy handling, it is the perfect choice for those looking to add a twist to their pie recipes. So, why not give the spelt pie crust a try and elevate your homemade pies with this healthier and versatile option?